[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 592

[Garry & Anne Krischock]

1. 1199: New short-term peace program begins 
Posted by: "Sunil K Zachariah" sunilkzach at yahoo.co.uk   sunilkzach 
Fri Aug 4, 2006 5:17 pm (PST) 
New short-term peace program begins

By Joseph Derr 
Rotary International News 

A new Rotary-sponsored educational program reinforcing Rotary's 
longstanding commitment to cultivating peace and understanding began 
3 July. 

The inaugural class of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies program 
started a three-month, English-language program at Chulalongkorn 
University in Bangkok, Thailand. Offered by The Rotary Foundation, 
the program is aimed at professionals, with a curriculum focused on 
the theory and practice of peace, professional mediation, and 
conflict resolution. 

The diverse group of 15 participants from 10 countries work in 
fields directly related to actual conflict situations. Participants 
include mid-to-upper level government workers, nongovernmental 
organization officers, educators, military and law enforcement 
officers, lawyers, media professionals, and union leaders. 

Giving policymakers tools to adapt to local contexts is an effective 
path to resolving conflict, says Yukiko Nishikawa, deputy director 
of the program. 

"This program gives participants seeds with sufficient ideas and 
tools to deal with conflict, which they bring home, grow, and 
multiply in their own organization and country," she says. 

Already the program is having an impact on participants such as 
Richelieu Allison from Liberia. 

"In a short period of time, I have observed a transformation taking 
place not only within my head, but also with the rest of the 
participants," says Allison, a regional director for the West 
African Youth Network. "I plan to utilize the skills gained here to 
train young people at the community level to serve as agents for 
peace."

Zelie Pollon, a U.S. journalist, said the program is providing a lot 
of context for understanding current world events. "We [are gaining] 
tools to deconstruct conflict, look closely at its component parts - 
the actors, beliefs, and specific behaviors - and recommend plans 
for resolution," Pollon said. 

The curriculum is unique in that it takes an interactive approach in 
which individuals' experience plays a critical role in contributing 
to theory and practice, according to Nishikawa. "Participants, as 
well as lecturers and facilitators, are considered agents of 
knowledge and skilled persons," she says. 

The program has been enthusiastically supported by Thai Rotarians 
from throughout the country. Numerous Rotarians have gone out of 
their way to welcome the class, some driving for hours to pick up 
arriving participants at the airport or serving as counselors. 

Rotarians throughout Thailand also plan to welcome program 
participants during upcoming fieldtrips outside of Bangkok, 
according to Saowalak Rattanavich of the Rotary Club of Bangrak, 
Thailand, who serves as host area coordinator for the program. 

Applications are currently being accepted for the January 2007 and 
July 2007 sessions. 

Source: R I Newsroom
Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary


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  2. 1200: 2007 International Assembly program shortened 
  Posted by: "Sunil K Zachariah" sunilkzach at yahoo.co.uk   sunilkzach 
  Fri Aug 4, 2006 5:23 pm (PST) 
  2007 International Assembly program shortened

  The 2007 International Assembly is to be shortened by one day with the 
  major arrival day remaining Sunday, 28 January and the departure day 
  moving one day ahead to Saturday, 3 February 2007. This change was 
  made to resolve space issues and will result in a significant cost 
  savings to Rotary International. 

  Due to the compression of the program from six to five days, the free 
  afternoon has been eliminated from the program. The rest of the 
  assembly program, director-elect training, and the Foundation trustees 
  meeting will be unaffected; however, the RI Board meeting will move 
  ahead one day so that the dates will become 5-9 February 2007. 

  Please direct any questions or concerns to RI.Registration at rotary.org

  Source: R I Website
  Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary
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